Sound off for March 16, 2014

Problems with the homeless population at Lee Bell Park prompted an article on the issue in last Sunday’s Daily Republic.

Here are some comments from our website:

This is very disturbing. A handful of bums doing drugs seems to have the city and social help organizations stumped. And I wonder why the youth leagues keep scheduling games here in view of the health and safety issues present? If the ball field was closed to league play, I bet there would be some parental pressure put on the city to get off its duff and get this place and the bums who frequent it squared away.

We are only starting to see what the results of allowing a huge “homeless shelter” in our city will bring. Mission Solano’s Bridge to Life program is centered on Beck Avenue near the homeless city at Ledgewood Creek. Mission Solano’s Day Center is located on Travis Boulevard just down the street from Lee Bell Park. These programs have greatly expanded over the past five years, feeding the growth and increasing the number of homeless people attracted to Fairfield.

If you all see such problems with the city and it’s parks, get out there and help fix them. First of all, you can see all of Mission Solano’s financial information online, anyone can look at it, and you’ll see where the money goes. It’s very transparent. They give a hand up, not a hand out. Second of all, if you’re curious about what happens at the mission, go volunteer.

Part of the problem is there are no more vagrancy laws and the police’s hands are tied unless they approach in the commission of a crime. Many of the homeless carry ACLU cards and pull them out when approached.

It’s frustrating to me to see so many comments from people complaining about the situation and bashing the groups that are trying to help. Instead of pointing fingers and shaking your head, why not do something to help and contribute positive ideas and action toward a solution?